Q: I am buying a new Compaq Presario and will be using Windows XP Home Edition. I am very involved in this community in very sensitive political matters with lots of money on the table. There are people with the resources to hack someone's computer if you rile them too much.

Is there a near-foolproof way out there, software or hardware, for me to make it near impossible, or at the very least as difficult as possible, for this computer to be hacked? I'm told most software out there — Zone Alarm, Norton and all the rest — are a breeze for a determined hacker. I am not a computer geek, so arcane systems would be beyond my ken.

This is a matter of great importance to me, and knowing I have done everything reasonably possible and within my budget will help me sleep better.

— Hector A. Bernier, Big Bear Lake, Calif.

A: You're right that most commercial firewalls don't offer complete protection against knowledgeable and determined hackers. As has been demonstrated many times over the past decade, even the most secure computer networks run by banks, the federal government and other organizations are vulnerable to hackers.

There are a number of tools available, including software and hardware firewalls, that make it more difficult for hackers to access your computer. But the more determined the hackers are, the more anti-hacking tools you need to use.

The more sophisticated tools do require a lot of knowledge to set up as well as consistent monitoring.

If you've got sensitive data and you think someone might be trying to get at it — but you don't have the resources or will to become a computer security expert — the best solution is to isolate the sensitive data, since even moderately savvy hackers can find ways around most commercial firewalls.

First, don't put the sensitive data on a computer connected to the Internet. And remember, if any computer on your network is connected to the Internet, the entire network is effectively connected to the Internet.

In short, keep your sensitive data on a computer not connected to other computers. (At the same time, it still is important to employ firewall technologies on any computer you have that is connected to the Internet.)

Second, if you have to move any of that sensitive data via an unsecure route — say, by sending it to someone else via e-mail — encrypt it first.

Q: I have been working with computers since 1967, no typo. I have learned from those early years to back up everything and frequently. I have an extensive library of music. so I purchased a Sony DVD recorder so that I could more easily back up my files.

Over a year ago, I came across MSN Music and have been buying singles from them. For me, it is the same as buying singles back in the '50s and '60s at the same price. It's a great service.

I am looking to switch to a laptop but I have a lot of money tied up in music. Is there any way of transferring the files from one machine to another?

— Ken Mulmat

A: When you download music from MSN Music, it is by default stored in the My Music folder under My Documents in Windows Explorer. You can move or copy those files just like any other data file on your computer. In fact, I'd strongly suggest you regularly do a backup of your music files.

At 99 cents per download, it can quickly add up to "real money." You don't want to lose everything if you have a system crash. I'd suggest copying them to a DVD and using that to copy them to the laptop. That way, you'll also have a separate backup of the music.

Questions for Patrick Marshall may be sent by e-mail to pmarshall@seattletimes.com or pgmarshall@pgmarshall.net, or by mail at Q&A/Technology, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111. More columns at www.seattletimes.com/columnists.

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